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Pima, Tucson recognize service of high school seniors helping peers go to college

Oct 21, 2024


Dr. Manuel Avila, Pueblo High School College & Career Readiness Coordinator, alongside Marianna Martinez, a Peer Coach under both the Pima College Access Network and Arizona Board of Regents

On October 17, the City of Tucson and Pima County Board of Supervisors declared Arizona Serve Day for the Eradication of Poverty, recognizing Arizona Serve and its collaboration with the Pima College Access Network (PCAN). The proclamation, presented to members of the Arizona Serve team, AmeriCorps Peer Coaches, and Tucson Unified School District counselors, celebrates the critical role these programs play in addressing poverty through education.


The Peer Coach Program, a partnership between Arizona Serve and PCAN, empowers high school seniors to guide their peers through college admissions, FAFSA completion, and scholarship applications. This initiative directly addresses educational access, a key factor in promoting economic mobility and breaking cycles of poverty. Over the last five years, Peer Coaches have contributed more than 31,000 service hours, supporting nearly 2,000 students across Pima County.


“The Peer Coach Program helps reduce barriers to higher education, ensuring student